BHP says stops BHP Billiton Plc share buy-back

LONDON, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Dual-listed mining group BHP Billiton said on Friday it had stopped buying back shares in the London-listed BHP Billiton Plc (BLT.L: Quote, Profile, Research).

BHP said in a statement the Australian-listed BHP Billiton Ltd (BHP.AX: Quote, Profile, Research) had continued to buy back shares in BHP Billiton Plc since the group announced on Nov. 8 it was considering making an offer for smaller rival Rio Tinto (RIO.AX: Quote, Profile, Research) (RIO.L: Quote, Profile, Research).

"BHP Billiton confirms that these purchases have been made by an independent third party on behalf of BHP Billiton under an irrevocable mandate," the company said in a statement.

"The mandate ended today (Friday), and BHP Billiton will suspend the programme of buying on-market ordinary shares in BHP Billiton Plc as was announced on Feb. 7, 2007, from the expiry of the mandate until further notice," it said. (Reporting by Dan Lalor, editing by Will Waterman)